“Mr. Na–” the hotel manager blurted, but immediately held his tongue at a sharp, warning look from Zachary. Realizing that he had almost spilled the name “Mr. Nacht”, the manager let out a brisk cough before continuing, “Everything you asked for is ready, sir! Please have a good rest. Let me know anytime if there’s anything else you need.”
At this, the manager retreated and even closed the door behind him.
“Why did you bring me here?” Charlotte demanded as her eyes darted around in a panic. “What are you still trying to do… Ahh!”
Before she could finish, her feet were swept off the ground abruptly. With a rough haul, Zachary threw her into the round bathtub filled with water.
Splash! She flailed around for a moment as she struggled to sit up, and coughed out some water which she had choked on.
Wiping water off her face with a hand, she grabbed onto the edge of the bathtub with the other. She panted heavily for some time before finally steadying herself, glaring at him and yelling, “You darned gigolo! How dare you…”
“Shut up!” he interrupted fiercely and pointed at her. “From this minute on, you better clean yourself up quietly. I’m gonna do you again if I hear another word from you!”
A suppressing atmosphere filled the bathroom at his menacing glare and authoritative voice. Charlotte felt subdued by the air of dominance emitting off him.
Frightened, she immediately held a hand over her mouth and stared quietly with widened eyes.
“Bathe!” he commanded as he chucked a bathrobe at her, then walked out of the bathroom.
She pursed her lips tightly, not daring to make another sound.
Nevertheless, she really did want to clean herself up.
Last night had been a long tiring one. She couldn’t help feeling grungy and filthy all over. She slowly eased herself into the bath, letting her body unwind in the warm water…
The bath was relaxing as she immersed herself in it. However, she flinched when the wounds on her shoulder and neck started to sting as they came into contact with the water.
Meanwhile, Zachary had taken a shower in the other bathroom. With only a towel wrapped underneath his torso, he hastily rubbed his hair as he came out and called Raina on his phone. “Send a female doctor over to the Storm Hotel, now! One whose face is fresh to the public!” he ordered.
Not wasting a millisecond, he hung up and reached out a hand towards his mask. In that instant, Charlotte emerged from the bathroom.
He quickly turned away.
He cursed in his mind. The mask was still lying on the bed, where he’d have to turn around and walk over a distance before he could reach it.
Of all times, that Ungrateful Wretch now stood right behind him.
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